The Secret Doctrine (album)

The Secret Doctrine
Studio album by
Morgana Lefay
Released1993
RecordedWavestation L.A., Sweden
GenreHeavy metal / Power metal / Thrash metal
LabelBlack Mark Records
ProducerMorgana Lefay & Ulf Peterson
Morgana Lefay chronology
Knowing Just as I
(1993) 		The Secret Doctrine
(1993) 		Sanctified
(1995)

The Secret Doctrine is the third album for Swedish heavy metal band Morgana Lefay.

After the band released Knowing Just as I in 1993 and toured for three weeks on the basis of that album, the band managed to return to the studio where The Secret Doctrine was laid down in 28 days. Thus, they managed to release The Secret Doctrine only 9 months after the previous record came out.[1][2]

Reception

In Rock Hard Magazine, the reviewer stated that Morgana Lefay played in a traditional, but not old-fashioned, metal style. Morgana Lefay gave "the Clawfingers and other trend-setters of this world the middle finger" and "definitely [did] NOT contain any alternative/grunge sequences". While Morgana Lefay built upon the work of outfits such as Iced Earth and Metal Church, the reviewer praised the stylistic variation on the album, from power ballads via mid-tempo to high-tempo songs. Whereas the guitarists were "outstanding", the vocalist had improved the most since Knowing Just as I. With a clear and powerful sound and "beautiful cover artwork" too, the reviewer landed on a 9 out of 10 score.[3] The album was also reviewed by Metal Hammer Germany.[4]

Track listing

All music & lyrics written by: Morgana Lefay

  1. "Rooms of Sleep" - 4:57
  2. "What Am I" - 5:31
  3. "Alley of Oaks" - 5:29
  4. "Soldiers of the Holy Empire" - 4:01
  5. "Paradise Lost" - 3:56
  6. "Nowhere Island" - 5:47
  7. "The Mirror" - 5:44
  8. "State of Intoxication" - 4:51
  9. "Cold World" - 3:57
  10. "Lord of the Rings" - 4:25
  11. "Last Rites" - 6:26
  12. "Dying Evolution" - 3:57
  13. "The Secret Doctrine" - 4:16

Lyrical notes

Credits

  • Charles Rytkönen - Vocals
  • Tony Eriksson - Guitars
  • Tommi Karppanen - Guitars
  • Joakim Heder - Bass
  • Jonas Söderlind - Drums

References

  1. ^ Edling, Leif (1994). "Morgana Lefay". Metal Zone (in Swedish). No. 3. Retrieved 23 December 2024.
  2. ^ "Morgana Lefay" (in German). Laut.de. Retrieved 23 December 2024.
  3. ^ Albrecht, Frank (1993). "MORGANA LEFAY The Secret Doctrine". Rock Hard Magazine (review) (in German). No. 80. Retrieved 23 December 2024.
  4. ^ "Morgana Lefay – The Secret Doctrine" (review) (in German). Metal Hammer. Retrieved 23 December 2024.
  • Review by Metallized.it (in Italian)
  • Review by Musicansich.de (in German)